“By any chance are we lost short one?” Ashlin finally voices what she had been thinking for the past few hours, the morn has already come and gone since the twos unexpected union. She was beginning to believe that he did not know the way as he had previously stated.

“N...no,” Galliard answered with a shaky breath, he was starting to doubt himself as well. The young prince very rarely ventured out of the castle walls, plus his being bound in the back of a cart did very little to help him now. “I know it must be around here somewhere.”

This he was certain of, Galliard could feel his connection to the castle of Wrath growing with every step he took. The blood from countless generations of Lords and Ladies in his family line calling him home.

Unlike the unconscious Lord Love that was being dragged through the rocks and sand by Ashlin. Galliard's lineage, as the head of the house of Wrath, went as far back as the founding of the clans. Each new Lord and Lady fused a drop of their blood essence into the core of the castle as an offering. It is a sign of respect to the walls that would protect and shelter their young for millennium to come. Xavier on the other hand, would be the first and last of his line to take over the clan of Love, leaving his connection to the castle weak.

A wave of warmth washes over the young Lord as he took one more step forward. A shimmer fills the air as the veil that was covering the castle grounds fell away with the return of its prince. A veil so strong even his seasoned companion could not detect it. Wraths' sentinels appeared out of nowhere, materialising all around the two, war scythes at the ready.

"She's with me!" Galliard bellowed louder than any had ever remembered hearing him speak, as he noticed them getting ready to attack the woman holding an unconscious Lord. "Xavier, Lord of Love, has betrayed the clans alongside Rena and Olga of Love, they captured me and planned on doing the same to my Lady sister." He motioned towards the mighty Amazon. "This is Ashlin the unbeatable, she saw me in peril and saved me from his clutches, move aside so I may speak to my Lord brother, Let us pass."

The sentinels slowly lowered their weapons, they were in disbelief that such a trusted member of the clans’ would dare to betray them in such a way. More importantly, one that was thought to be such a close friend to their Lord of Lords.

“Let them through.” The head of the group called out.

The sentinels parted letting the Prince through, Ashlin dropped Xavier on the ground and he did the same. Letting the soldiers carry them away as they passed. Gabriella came rushing down the stairs and engulfed Galliard in a hug making him drop his charge roughly.

"I thought i would never see you again." She whimpered, holding him close. "How can I ever repay you, your choices are limitless." She said acknowledging the beautiful Amazon standing nearby. "For what you've brought me is irreplaceable."

"Galliard!" Syrin's call rang out across the field, She teleported in front of them."Thank Xrion you're safe, your brother has been worried sick about you and so have I." She said ruffling his hair. "We have just received word about what transpired, I'm sorry you had to endure that."

Somehow Galliard doubted that his brother had been worried sick, as his new elder sister had claimed. He was not on amazing terms with him, to say the least.

"Thank you for bringing him back safely." Lady Wrath turned towards Ashlin, bowing slightly to show her appreciation. "I could not begin to express my gratitude."

Ashlin blinked at her, unable to suppress her surprise at seeing the woman standing in front of her, she was at a loss for words. This was the first time the Amazonian had seen a skinwalker in person. She was even more surprised that Syrin had not even bothered to hide her shining white eyes in the slightest. Her kind had been hunted down for centuries and thought to have been long extinct. Though as Ashlin gazed at the woman she supposed that it would be rather trying, after all, hunting down a race that could transform themselves at a whim would be…rather difficult. She had learnt about her kind from childhood, with it being a part of her schooling, but never thought she would ever come face to face with one. Or at least, come face to face with one and be able to recognise it. She shook herself out of her thoughts, not wanting to disrespect the woman in her own home.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"I wish to challenge the Lord Wrath to a friendly duel." She announced.

"That's…what," Gabriella looked at her in shock, then she laughed, "You could have anything in the whole realm and you just want a duel against my brother?"

"The chance to find a master is worth more than anything you could give me." Ashlin countered firmly, meaning every word of it, "I wish to see if he is as worthy as my little friend says." She says looking Gabriella dead in the eye.

Syrins face slipped into a controlled frown. "What exactly is it that you plan to do with my husband when he wins." She demanded coldly, the chain-like brand on her arm glowing bright blue.

"Worry not my little snowflake." Wrath appeared behind her, spattered in blood and placed a kiss on the top of her head. "I know of her kind, thus when I triumph, she shall serve me as I see fit and nothing more," He turns towards his brother, his eyes softening towards him for the first time in years before hardening once more, "I failed you my youngest kin and for that, you have my deepest regrets."

"You needn't apologise, brother," Galliard blinked in surprise, it was a rare sight for him to see his brother admit any weakness or shortcomings on his part, much less apologize. "You had no idea Xavier was as such, we were all fooled." He solemnly said as images flash through his mind of his time spent with the man he once held so dear. "We have much to discuss regarding his treachery."

"I would agree, there is much I have learned from the man himself but not all." Wrath's body went rigid in anger, his blood boiling.

"Have you killed him, brother?" He asked motioning towards his bloody armour.

"Of course not, that would be wasteful of me," He said looking down at his youngest sibling. "I only spoke to him a bit, and then used my magic to, very gently, pull what information I needed from him." The man flicked some blood off of his armoured hands and for some strange reason, his younger brother did not think he was being entirely truthful.

Wrath whistled sharply and a maid emerged attentive to her Lord.

"Show Lady Ashlin to the finest room you can find." He ordered, the young woman nodding. "I hope you don't mind if we take this up later." He speaks towards the Amazon. "We have important matters to discuss that have to do with the future of my clans."

"Not at all," She responded, understanding the reasoning of the man. "I shall see you tomorrow for our duel."

The sons of Wrath walk a distance away from prying eyes and ears, privacy magics flaring, before they begin to talk.

"The Red King had our father killed," Galliard stated firmly. "That's who Xavier was working for." He turns towards his older brother.

The man said nothing, eyes searching his sibling’s face. Whatever it was he was searching for he clearly found it. Leaning back with arms crossed the older man sighed, nodding at his bother to continue.

"He likely wanted to eradicate our family line and take over the clans for himself,” Galliard noted with venom. “He was either too foolish to see that he was just a puppet in the King's schemes or did not care so long as he could spite us." He shuddered at the memory of the man speaking of his sister.

"The Red King of Orvivia." Wrath went silent for a time, taking in the words.

He had seen the man not too long ago, giving his condolences for the death of his Lord father. A father, it would seem, that he had a hand in murdering.

"That is certainly a possibility, it was his mission that Father embarked on when he was slain," He said thinking it over, "To think we thought of his bloodline as allies... very well, the mortal must be punished for his insolence and crimes against the House of Wrath."

He called forth a sentinel, Rizal he noted idly, The man approached with swiftness and bowed low.

"What can I do for you, my Lord?"